Balance was the name of the game this season in the Cape Cod Women's Hockey League. All three teams finished the regular season within two points of each other in the standings, and Saturday's semifinal matchup looked to be very close on paper.

On the ice, the game went just as expected. A Hat Tricks penalty late in the second period set the stage for the game's lone goal. Gale Force netted the puck with just 19 seconds left in the period, and held on for a 1-0 victory.

Gale Force will take on top seeded Renegades in the final Saturday at 8 p.m. at the Falmouth Ice Arena.

"The game went pretty much as we expected it would, said league president and Hat Tricks defenseman Tricia Devine. "It was a pretty tight game that was up and down action all night. There were a lot of great saves by goalies Cam Keaney and Casey Zawicki."

Janae Dalbec scored the winning goal off a pass from Amy Mulvey, who is one of the league's top scorers. "It was tenacious work by Mulvey to get that puck in front," said Devine. "The Hat Tricks really surged back in the third period, but they just weren't able to get one past the goalie."

After taking a couple of seasons away, Mulvey has had a great season, and her leadership has been very important to the team's success. "She is really motivational and inspirational," said Devine. "Even on that goal she was directing Janae to get wide to the post and was able to make that pass to her that helped win the game."

Laura Larson, Kim Almond-Thibault and Elaine Jacobson also played well for Gale Force while Cathy Silva, Paula Casey and Kathy Flynn all played great for the Hat Tricks, according to Devine.

"We thought it was going to take just one goal," said Devine. "Everyone was on the edge throughout the first period and there were lots of opportunities and chances. But, we knew it was going to be very close."

The finals should be just as exciting as the semifinals. Renegades and Gale Forced finished the season tied in points with the Renegades getting by bye into the finals based on a slight advantage in head-to-head results. Head-to-head results don't matter now though. Throw out the record books in the championship; anyone can win on any night. "Either team really could win," said Devine. "The teams are very close."

The whole season was very close, and that is just the way Devine likes it. "We designed the league that way," she said. "We want fair competition."

This was the smallest season the league has ever seen with just three teams. The past three seasons there have been four, and before that, as many as five in one division. At the league's peak from 2003-2008, there were seven teams across two divisions.

While the small size presented some unique challenges, the women quickly adapted. "What we did was one team would play a doubleheader each weekend," said Devine. "It really worked out, and everyone just had to have a little extra cardio on those days when they had to play the extra periods."

While everyone wants to win the championship, just getting out to play is the real goal. "If any women are looking to get involved, we welcome everyone regardless of experience," said Devine. "We take pride in seeing the advancement of players just starting out. If any woman is interested, this is an open invitation to come check us out."

The league also host their Annual Spring Flight tournament April 7-9 hosting 12 teams. The 18th annual tournament is a highlight every season, and will feature teams in the C, D, and recreational divisions, players with slightly advanced and intermediate skills, but not college level players.

"Anyone who wants to see what women's hockey is like on Cape Cod is welcome to come check us out," said Devine.